In addition, there was a special talk on Friday evening, a mini
conference on Saturday afternoon, and a Cultural Evening afterwards. The
weekend was coordinated by Wim Koetsier, Secretary General of UPF-Netherlands.
About 40 people participated in all or some of the events.

On Friday, after a welcoming lunch and an introduction to the Universal
Peace Federation, Tim Miller gave two lectures entitled "The Foundation
for Lasting Peace and Happiness." After dinner, Mrs. Aukje Koster-Hiddema,
teacher of the Dutch language and President of the Applied Scholastics
Netherlands (a branch of the Association for Better Living and Education
in the USA), talked on "Misunderstood Words: How they can wreck one’s
life." Her concern is to help people of all ages study effectively.
Afterwards, she was presented with an Ambassador for Peace certificate.

On Saturday, after optional Morning Meditation and Breakfast, Tim Miller
spoke on "Understanding the Root Cause of Conflict" and "Restoring
Peace and Happiness." Following lunch and a walk — for some — to
the beach, an afternoon conference was dedicated to the UN International
Day of Peace.

The program started with two short videos: "Heart of Peace" and
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's "WMD (We Must Disarm)" appeal.
Wim Koetsier talked briefly about UPF's approach to bringing peace, explaining
that while one might be able to do away with weapons it is important to
change people's way of thinking. Speakers included Dr. Dick Leurdijk, Senior
Research Fellow at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations,
Clingendael, and Dr. Irma Loemban Tobing Klein, former ambassador of Surinam
to the UN and co-founder and current Chair of MDG Global Watch.

Drs. Leurdijk addressed the topic “The UN International Day of
Peace and the Situation in the Middle East,” looking at the situations
in Lebanon and Israel / Palestine. He found it difficult to be optimistic
about Lebanon and felt that another war between Israel and Hezbollah was
inevitable. The UN seeks "greater progress" towards reconciliation,
he said, but sadly there has not even been a start. Similarly, there has
been no real common ground that would enable Israel and the Palestinian
Hamas officials to resolve their disputes. He analyzed reports of the UN
Secretary-General to the Security Council and Security Council resolutions,
ending up with pessimistic conclusions. The specialist in political and
military issues testified he had had a rich experience when visiting Israel
and Palestine with UPF's Middle East Peace Initiative but had become increasingly
sceptical in the face of political realities.

Leurdijk was accompanied by his wife, which seemed particularly appropriate
since the weekend conference focused on the merits of marriage and the
family and specifically the mid-October World Culture and Sports Festival
in Korea, which will include a large ceremony of blessing in marriage.

Dr. Tobing Klein spoke on “The Millennium Development Goals, Dream
or Reality?" She was convinced that the MDGs are achievable, although
most of the richer countries need to do more and the developing nations
also need to take more responsibility. It is encouraging that there have
been improvements in combating AIDS, malaria and measles

We have to "come together, to see how we can combine our strengths," she
said, suggesting that UPF continue to raise awareness of the MDGs and seek
to make them a platform for interfaith cooperation. She invited Ann Harris,
a colleague at MDG Global Watch, to read a poem about ending poverty.

Wim Koetsier mentioned that soon it would be possible to read Rev. Moon's
memoirs, which had become a best seller in Korea, and mentioned Rev. Moon
remembering how he had encouraged and taught poor people in Paraguay to
fish in the river. Only 100 years ago there had been extreme poverty in
the Netherlands, and everyone knew about the potato famine in Ireland. "Let
us look at our situation and see what we can do," he said. "Economic
crises can also be opportunities for industry to develop." Henry Ford
had developed a car for the common man, despite being told cars were only
for the rich, when you helped the poor, you helped the development of the
world.

Ambassador for Peace certificates were presented to three attendees:

Ms.
Rose Keizer, who works with the Netherlands Institute of Ecology and
lectures about the social behaviour of bees and swallows to encourage
respect for nature and better understanding of human behavior

Mr.
Jean Singgellos, Managing Director of Dancing City Entertainment, which
aspires to bring culture, harmony, and understanding through music

Mrs.
Fatma Aktas, Founder of the Avrasya Foundation and Selamnetwerk, which
aspires to help ethnic Turkish and Muslim women develop a full personal
and social life in the Netherlands

The conference was followed with dinner and a cultural
evening, with contributions from staff and participants. Among the attendees
were four musicians. They attracted the attention of the young staff members
who left their cleaning up to enjoy the reggae songs — and then went
happily back to their chores. A German guest in the hotel who was also
attracted by the music sang the famous tragic song "Lorelei." The
Dutch participants combined to sing the ever popular "Amsterdamse
Grachten" (Amsterdam Canals). Huize Glory staff member Carlos Figueroa
sang songs from Latin America, and diva Milly Scott made the room even
brighter with her music. The evening concluded with a prayer for peace
from Dr. Tobing Klein.

On Sunday morning, the Morning Meditation was enriched
by two songs by Ann Harris. After breakfast, Tim Miller talked about "A
Life for World Peace: The life and work of UPF Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung
Moon." After concluding remarks and reflections, the weekend ended
with lunch and optional sightseeing.